Red Hook

Funny thing about me and beer... I hated it for years and survived college on rum and Diet Coke in addition to the occasional night of tossing back approximately three shots of Jose Cuervo and I would be set for the evening. About six years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the "microbrew" when I lived with my dear friend Leslie, whohas a passion for fancy beer. I quickly began my love affair with craft beers and have become a beer snob of sorts. Although I cant claim to be any kind of connoisseur, I do know what I like.

I have been on some fun brewery tours before with some great beer, and was super excited to finally head out to my neighborhood brewery and do the official tour at Red Hook. I have of course had Red Hook many times, but really didn't know much about the brewery. So, me and BF headed out to Woodinville Saturday night to meet our dear friend the Solinsky's to taste some beer. The tour costs $1.00 and with that hefty investment you get five samples, a commemorative mini glass and a good time. There isn't much of a tour per say, more like a gathering in an upstairs room with some random folks (our crowd was complete with a mullet and a baby), some tunes, a witty beer guide and a view of the brewing and containment rooms. We got to taste the signature brews, Blonde, ESB, Longhammer IPA, Copperhook Ale and my new favorite, Mud Slinger Spring brew. Our beer guide was so good, that she slipped us a sixth sample of our choice.

I preferred the Mud Slinger, which is a nut brown ale and not too overwhelming. Its very smooth; perfect amount of bitter and sweet; kind of a grainy flavor which I like. It went down very easy and was a great complement to my turkey burger. Really good beer and I love the packaging for it.

We had a great evening and I managed to awake headache free which is always a plus when the night before is filled with drinking delicious yet high alcohol content beers.

Happy beer tasting!